Mushroomed poll, fix it or leave it?

[andybtruckin]

Picked this up for $20 at the flea market this morning. Normally I'd fix the mushroomed poll but with this one I'm not so sure. What thinks the group?

 

[The Zieg]

From a use perspective, I suggest carefully removing the mushrooming. But I have no sense of what that would do to the value from a collector's perspective.

Zieg

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

It's far enough back from the etching that I wouldn't worry about fixing it up. I'd suggest hammering as much of it back into position as possible before cleaning it up with a file and then allowing it to patina.

 

[flexo]

+1

 

[Hickory n steel]

It's far enough back from the etching that I wouldn't worry about fixing it up. I'd suggest hammering as much of it back into position as possible before cleaning it up with a file and then allowing it to patina.

Absolutely.
Hammer as much of it back as possible, then file off what's left.

 

[CVamberbonehead]

If you want to use it, then fix it. If its to just collect then just clean it gently. Good luck!

 

[broe]

I agree. Fix it to use it, hammer/file as collector piece.

 

[PhilipWimberly]

It's far enough back from the etching that I wouldn't worry about fixing it up. I'd suggest hammering as much of it back into position as possible before cleaning it up with a file and then allowing it to patina.

When you say "hammer it back", do you mean "heat it and hammer it back"?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

When you say "hammer it back", do you mean "heat it and hammer it back"?

No. It got that way cold and it can be nudged back cold. No heat is typically needed for the fairly low amount of material that usually needs negotiating, and the poll is unhardened so it's quite ductile.

 

[Square_peg]

When you say "hammer it back", do you mean "heat it and hammer it back"?

Recall that it deformed cold. Some portion of it will go back cold. The one caution is that cold working steel will produce microfractures in that can cause it to chip easier if it is abused again. A non-hardened poll is just there to balance the axe but can also be used to hammer plastic or wooden wedges, never steel wedges.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Recall that it deformed cold. Some portion of it will go back cold. The one caution is that cold working steel will produce microfractures in that can cause it to chip easier if it is abused again. A non-hardened poll is just there to balance the axe but can also be used to hammer plastic or wooden wedges, never steel wedges.

It CAN cause micro fractures but is unlikely to unless significant deformation has already occurred. Unhardened steel has a LOT of ductility and it can keep on using that up for a while before it runs out and actually cracks. Definitely good to keep it in mind, though, especially when the amount of metal that needs adjustment is more major.

 

[thebrain]

If not comfortable hammering a bit of steel bach into place just leave it and enjoy. That mushrooming isn't very bad at all and doesn't look sharp or dangerous in use.